The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-06-01
The Crops outlook.

The report of the department ofagricuiture
for May relates to the condition of winter
grain, progress of spring blowing and pro-
portion of the proprosed cotton area already
planted. II indicates decline in the eondi-
ton of wheat of two points since April l. the
general average for the whole country being
s6. against 81 at the same date III 1886, 20 in
1883 and ~ in 1884. The changes in condi-
ton have not been uniform throughout the
winter wheat region. some states showing an
increase, the majority a slight decline, and a
few heavy falling oil. The states of the mid
die Atlantic coast, from Pennsylvania to
North Carolina, show some Improvement.
seasonable weather having aided the plant in
recovering more than was expected from the
injury done by the trying season during Feb
ruiary and March In New York and New
Jersey the amount of winter killing was not
uniayorable weather during the month has
caused serious reduction Of condition
Drought has reduced the average somewhat
in the eastern gulf states. and has wrought
very serious damage in Texas and Arkansas
lowering condition during TIE month 10 and
10 points respectively. Favorable tempera-
ture and seasonable rains have improved the
prospect in Tennessee, West Virginia and
Kentucky, condition being considerably
higher in these states than it has averaged
in May for the past five years. The most
serious reduction of the month is in Ohio,
where there is a falling off of 5 points since
the lst of April due to the continuing evil
effects of the alternate freezing and thawing
noted in the last report, and to the cold, dry
weather during the greater part of April
which gave the injured plant little chance
for recuperation. A favorable season after
April /, might have in great measure re
paired the injury done up to that time, bat
the continued unfayorlble conditions have
wrought still further damage and small
crop is now inevitable
Michigan and Indiana show slight de-
cline, while in Illinois and Missouri there is
a gain of one point tntavorable weather
in kansas aud California has caused slight
falling OFF, while in Oregon the prospect has
advanced, it heing the only state in. which
condition reaches 100 The averages of con-
diiion by states New York ST, Pennsylvania
72, Maryland 81, Virginia so, North Caro-
lima 80 Texas GO, Arkansas ,i3 Tennessee 96,
West Virginia 50, Kentucky 90, Ohio ii,
Michigan 30, Indiana 81, Illinois 93, Missouri
81, Kansas 81, California 50. Oregon 1oi.
Rye has suffered from the same conditions
which have iniuriously affected wheat but,
on account of is harder nature the general
average is considerable higher, standing at
sos against 92 ON April / and 95.7 at the
same date in 1886.
The condition ofbarley is low; the average
being S, in May, 1885, and - in 1856.
The seas1n has been more generally adj
yanced in all parts of the country than usual.
spring plowing being seriously behind only
ON the Atlantic coast south of Pennsylvania
and ON the Pacific slope In these sections
it has been delayed by cold and excess of
moisture Elsewhere the work is ahead of
an average year, the season, especially dur
ing April having been generally favorable,
with temperature above the normal. and
rainfall at a minimum. The proportion
already done on May 1 is estimated at 50
per cent. OF the whole, while the amount
usually completed at that date is above 70
per cent.